Trinidad & Tobago extends full support to India for UNSC permanent membership
In the meeting held on Friday, Prime Minister Modi announced a decision by India to issue Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards up to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago, where over 40 per cent of the population is of Indian origin.
Modi landed in Port of Spain on Thursday in the second leg of his five-nation tour.
It is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to this Caribbean island nation since 1999.
In their talks, Modi and Bissessar also explored potential collaboration in areas of defence, agriculture, healthcare and digital transformation, unified payments interface (UPI) and capacity building.
Significantly, Trinidad and Tobago reaffirmed its full support to India for a permanent membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council, according to a joint statement released on Saturday.
The six MoUs will provide for deeper cooperation between India and Trinidad and Tobago in the fields of pharmacopoeia, quick-impact projects, culture, sports and diplomatic training, among others.
The pact on sports is aimed at fostering training, talent exchange, infrastructure development, and joint capacity building. PM Modi also reiterated his offer to train aspiring young women cricketers from Trinidad and Tobago in India.
Delving into pressing global issues, Modi and Bissessar reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations, including expansion of the UN Security Council, to better reflect current realities.
"While recognising the rising geopolitical tensions and global conflicts, both leaders called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward," the joint statement said.
It was also agreed that India would support Trinidad and Tobago's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2027-28, and the island nation would support New Delhi's bid for the period 2028-29.
"The landmark visit of the prime minister to Trinidad and Tobago has given a boost to the special ties between the countries," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
In her remarks during the delegation-level talks, Bissesar noted that PM Modi's "landmark visit" to Trinidad and Tobago will reinvigorate the deep-rooted bilateral ties between the two countries.
On his part, PM Modi expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago's strong support and solidarity to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
"The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
PM Modi also met Christine Carla Kangaloo, the president of Trinidad and Tobago.
In a social media post, Modi said a new momentum was added to the friendship between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
"Thank you, Trinidad & Tobago. The moments here will never be forgotten. We've added new momentum to the India-Trinidad & Tobago friendship. My gratitude to President Christine Carla Kangaloo, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the government and people of this wonderful nation," he said.
Several announcements to foster bilateral ties, including the offer of an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card to the sixth generation of the people of Indian origin in the Caribbean nation, were made.
The MEA said Modi and Bissesar agreed to work together for greater solidarity among the countries of the Global South and to strengthen India-CARICOM partnership.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an intergovernmental organisation of 15 member states in the Caribbean region, having the primary objective to promote economic integration and cooperation among the members.
"Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They called upon greater cooperation to deal with contemporary challenges such as climate change, disaster management, and cybersecurity," the MEA said.
On PM Modi's meeting with President Kangaloo, the MEA said it was marked by warmth and a reaffirmation of the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.
"The prime minister congratulated President Kangaloo on receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award this year and expressed deep appreciation for her distinguished public service," it said.
"The two leaders reflected on the enduring bonds shared by the two countries, anchored by strong people-to-people ties," it added.
The MEA said PM Modi invited Bissessar to visit India, which she accepted.
Earlier on Friday, PM Modi addressed the parliament of the Caribbean nation and spoke about the cricket connection between the two countries.
"There is a natural warmth in the connection between our two countries. I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team! We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India," he said.
Modi also lauded the contribution of Indian-origin people to Trinidad and Tobago's development journey.
"From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce, calypso to chutney, they contribute to every field. They are an integral part of the vibrant diversity that you all respect."
"Together, you have built a nation that lives its motto: 'Together we aspire, together we achieve'," Modi said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
SP turned departments into ‘dens of loot', says Pathak
Lucknow: Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak on Saturday launched a blistering attack on chief , accusing him of treating public property like personal wealth and misleading the people of the state. "The people of are no longer naïve — they now know the difference between promises and actions," Pathak said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing mediapersons in Lucknow, Pathak criticised the alleged institutionalised corruption during the SP govt's 2012–2017 tenure. "From the JPNIC to the Gomti Riverfront and the mining department, everything was tainted by mismanagement, nepotism, and loot," he said. "This is why the people have shown the door to Akhilesh Yadav not once, but twice." Reacting to Akhilesh Yadav's recent remarks, Pathak said the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre had become a hub of corruption under SP rule. "We have handed it over to the LDA through a Cabinet decision so it can serve the public — not any one leader's legacy." He also alleged that the Gomti Riverfront project, originally planned with a budget of a few hundred crores, was inflated to thousands of crores, turning it into a "showcase of organised plunder." On illegal mining, he said the department became a "den of loot" under SP rule, where ministerial posts were traded for loyalty to the leadership. Pathak further accused SP leaders of illegally occupying forest lands and felling trees under the guise of political influence. "Such individuals are now behind bars. No one dares to look at forest land today," he asserted. Highlighting the transformation in health services, the Deputy CM said, "Today, even the remotest CHCs in UP stock anti-rabies and anti-venom injections. All essential medicines are freely available — not just printed on posters." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dismissing Akhilesh Yadav's allegations against the election commission as "irresponsible," Pathak said, "The clection commission is one of the strongest defenders of Indian democracy and constitutional integrity." He concluded by highlighting UP's achievements under , including No. 1 rankings in sugarcane, wheat, milk, and sugar production. "Under Yogi and Modi's leadership, UP and India are scaling new heights of progress," he said.
India Gazette
42 minutes ago
- India Gazette
We negotiate keeping national interest in mind, not under deadlines: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India does not negotiate under deadlines and does so from a position of strength. Goyal said the government holds discussions keeping national interests in mind and attacked the Congress, saying this is 'not weak India under UPA which would make agreements which were not in the national interest'. His remarks came hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Modi government over Goyal's earlier remarks in which he had said that India does not enter trade deals based on deadline or time pressure. 'Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline,' Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, attaching a news report about the Union Minister's remarks. 'India does not negotiate under deadlines. We negotiate keeping national interests in mind, and national interest is paramount in all our work across the world. We have entered into free trade agreements after the Modi government came in with Mauritius, with the United Arab Emirates, with Australia, with the four-nation EFTA grouping - Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland,' Goyal told reporters. 'Now with UK last month. And we continue to work with other developed nations like the EU bloc of 27 European countries, with the United States, with Oman, with Peru, with Chile. Today, India negotiates from a position of strength. We are self-confident. We can compete with anybody in the world. This is not a weak India under Congress and UPA which would negotiate and make agreements which were not in national interest,' he added. Goyal also visited Aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Devanahalli in Karnataka and expressed confidence that India will become a preferred supplier for defence and aerospace given the great relationships it is creating with many other developed countries and said a lot of design and innovation is happening through global capability centres in the country. The Minister also expressed confidence that apart from design and innovation, more and more patens will be filed in India. 'I have absolutely no doubt that in the years to come, particularly given the great relationships that India is creating with many other developed countries, India will become a preferred supplier for defence and aerospace. Already, a lot of design and innovation is happening through global capability centres in India. Now, we will not only design and innovate in India, we will patent in India, produce in India and hopefully become globally relevant partner in supply chains. So, I am truly very optimistic about the potential of this sector,' he said. Asked about scope of collaboration between Indian startups and global aerospace companies, the minister said that SEZ doesn't necessarily have any role in that but there is scope for a bridge or a connection between startups in India and internationally in the space of defence and aerospace. 'I will ask Startup India to see how we can use the services of all these wonderful companies and their connections to see if we can connect the two,' he said. Asked about India's journey towards global aerospace hub, he said this defence and aerospace zone will be the beginning of a path-breaking journey. 'Starting from HAL and now with all these new units coming up, all the other Plants that I see around here, I am quite sure that this defence and aerospace zone will just be the beginning of a path-breaking journey in this field. I have absolutely no doubt that in the years to come, particularly given the great relationships that India is creating with many other developed countries, India will become a preferred supplier for defence and aerospace. Already a lot of design and innovation is happening through global capability centres in India,' he said. (ANI)
India Gazette
42 minutes ago
- India Gazette
PM Modi discusses cooperation in critical minerals with Argentina President
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors with Argentine President Javier Milei, underlining India's growing energy and industrial needs while emphasising that Buenos Aires can serve as a 'reliable partner.' Addressing a briefing after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders, MEA's Secretary (East) P Kumaran emphasised that Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, such as lithium, copper, and rare earth elements, align with India's need for its clean energy transition and industrial growth. 'The two leaders also had an opportunity to discuss cooperation in the energy and critical mineral sectors. The Prime Minister underlined India's growing energy and industrial needs and emphasised that Argentina could serve as a reliable partner in supporting India's developmental journey,' Kumaran said. 'Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, copper and rare earth elements, align with India's need for secure and sustainable resources to drive its clean energy transition and industrial growth,' he added. Kamaran also highlighted that Argentina, with its 2nd-largest shale gas and 4th-largest shale oil reserves, hold 'strong potential to become 'an important energy partner for India.' PM Modi, during the bilateral meeting, also highlighted India's strength in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, offering Argentina to increase cooperation in the sector by moving India from Annexe II to Annexe I of Argentina's pharmaceutical regulatory framework to facilitate smoother entry of Indian pharmaceutical products into the Argentine market. According to Argentina's pharmaceutical regulatory framework, countries are divided into two annexes. Countries on Annexe I usually have a smoother path into the Argentine market. 'Prime Minister highlighted India's strength in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly the capacity to produce high-quality, affordable medicines. He discussed the possibility of India being moved from Annexe II to Annexe I of Argentina's pharmaceutical regulatory framework, which would facilitate smoother entry of Indian pharmaceutical products into the Argentine market. The Argentine side updated the Indian delegation on the fast-track approval process available for the import of Indian medicines,' P Kumaran said. 'The Indian side mentioned that this would significantly benefit the people of Argentina by improving access to affordable and life-saving medicine and reduce the cost of healthcare in Argentina,' he added. Argentina is the third leg of PM Modi's five-nation tour after Ghana, and Trinidad and Tobago. It will be followed by visits to Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit and to Namibia. (ANI)
